Opposition leader Bernard Grech said today that it is not true that Malta is at the forefront for IVF success rates, in fact, the success rate is quite low, amongst the lowest in Europe, he said.

Speaking on a special programme for Women’s Day on NET news, Grech said that the PL is also lying about offering free IVF services and medicine for all rounds of the procedure, claiming that it is all propaganda, as couples who wish to make use of this service go abroad where there are better rates of successes.

Under a PN government, the procedures as well as medicine for IVF will be free for all rounds, Grech said. Grech also said that there needs to be better accessibility for contraception for all, but especially women. He said that while sex education needs to be better, the tools to protect themselves against diseases and allow for better planning in this regard should also be more accessible.

Grech advocated for a change in mentality so that women can move away from the obligation to have to take care of children, the household, as well as be allowed to have a career and take part in politics. “The woman is not only responsible for the raising of children, but she also has a career and she deserves respect,” Grech said.

He said that the two parties must compete with each other to see how women’s rights can be improved so women can continue to advance in society, as both parties should have women’s interests at heart. Grech condemned Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli for passing an insensitive remark towards PN candidate Julie Zahra on TVM program XTRA, saying that “we are not singing on a stage here.”

“This is the PL’s problem, they ridicule,” Grech noted.

Grech said that one cannot expect the woman to emancipate if she still suffers many responsibilities without the help of the man or others. He said that everyone needs to do their part.

Grech said that the PN is proposing better pay pay for women, as well as backups for other needs. He said that the PN continues to believe that everyone has the right to advance, and the woman has value in life.